REGULATIVE VS.
NORMATIVE PRINCIPLE
A common
topic in conversations of biblical authority is the regulative vs. normative
principle in worship prescription. The regulative principle suggests anything
not explicitly prescribed in Scripture (the New Testament specifically) should
not be utilized in worship, e.g. instruments, while the normative principle
suggests that there is freedom for use of items which are not mentioned in the
Bible if they do not contradict moral or ethical values. Entire sects and
denominations of the Christian faith have been formed largely because of
various understandings in this dichotomy. It is certainly not a salvific issue,
but it is an important discussion to have, nonetheless. Where do we, as
Christians, draw the line for our prescribed worship practices. If it is not
explicitly stated in Scripture, do we have flexibility in the way we worship? I
personally subscribe to the normative principle. Besides issues of its
existence in the Bible, I would like to pose a few questions to help worshipers
in determining what items to utilize in corporate worship.
1.
Does
It Benefit the Church?
We must first ask ourselves if the
practices we employ or consider employing benefit the church. Do they build and
encourage the church, or are they items of division? Now let me clarify by
stating that divisiveness in and of itself does not mean a worship practice is
inherently wrong or should not be utilized; the divisiveness could, in fact, be
the result of a deeper issue in the church. It is vital to determine why a
worship practice might be divisive before merely getting rid of it. We, as
worship leaders, must seek to help the church. In deciding which worship
practices to employ, whether aesthetic or otherwise, we should resolve to
benefit the body of Christ through its use.
2.
Does
It Enhance Worship?
When people are not comfortable
with worship practices for any reason, I often hear a question like this: is
that really necessary? I think what people mean by that question is to point to
their discomfort. I recently wrote about the difference in a distraction and a
discomfort. The two are not one in the same; sometimes our discomfort is
because we are being stretched. The question of necessity is usually a futile
one because there are many practices we employ in our worship services which
are not necessary, e.g. lyrics on a screen, hymnals, instruments, microphones,
or even the space we worship in. Nonetheless, these elements enhance worship. Necessity
should not be the standard we look to, for at that point, we are seeking the
bare minimum. If we, as the people of God, desire worship to be as excellent as
possible, we should constantly strive to enhance worship including through the
practices we employ. If the Bible does not give a clear directive against a
particular worship practice and we desire to employ it, let us ask how it
enhances the worship of our congregation.
3.
Does
It Serve a Purpose in the Dialogue?
Corporate worship is a dialogue
between God and his covenanted people. It is doubtlessly a continuous dialogue,
but each weekly worship gathering should serve to present a theme or an idea as
a part of the overarching gospel narrative. The practices involved then should
play a role within that dialogue. In planning specific practices of worship,
worship leaders should decide if what is being executed serves a purpose in the
dialogue, i.e. is a song being chosen connected to the rest of the dialogue, or
is it merely a song thrown in the mix because people enjoy it? If the latter is
true, I think it is time to reconsider its placement or usage. Worship leaders
should plan intentionally. If Scripture is not overt about a worship practice,
a determining factor should be its purpose in the dialogue or its lack thereof.
The Line between Biblical Authority and Manmade Legality
There certainly exists a line
between biblical authority and manmade legality. If an explicit command against
a worship practice is not revealed in the Bible, how do we have any authority
to pronounce it as wrong or sinful? Yet, worship leaders should also be wise in
how worship practices are executed. These questions surely help in determining
the benefit of our worship practices. We should strive to be biblical, not
extra-biblical, and allow personal convictions to remain personal without
universalizing them. We have a responsibility to exercise wisdom so let us seek
excellence in the way we worship, guidance of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom in
how we worship together.
